Iceland, Land of Ice and Fire

Countries

Iceland

Highlights

Launch into Iceland’s extraordinary landscapes on the beautiful Snaefellsnes Peninsula
Discover the magical Hveradalur Valley, its geothermal wonders and take a dip in a natural thermal spring
See Puffins for the first time and walk across tumbling glaciers
Enjoy Reykjavik’s charm and stunning architecture
Trip escorted by Jennie Churchill

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Tour Itinerary

Iceland, the land of ice and fire, from its charming capital city Reykjavik to all its natural
and geological wonders: exploding geysers, spectacular waterfalls, fields of lava and moss,
dramatic glaciers close to red hot volcanoes, and the nesting sites of the iconic puffin and
other seabirds. We hope you can join this exciting journey.
Should you wish to extend your stay in Iceland, or elsewhere in Europe, please talk to us and
we will happily discuss and help you with any additional arrangements.

DAY 1 Friday 3 July – Arrive Reykjavik
On arrival you will be met by your Icelandic guide and transferred to your hotel (one group transfer
provided on World Expeditions recommended flight. If you are arriving on alternative flights, a
separate transfer can be arranged at an additional cost).
Meals: NIL

DAY 2 Saturday 4 July – Transfer to the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Today you will be transferred to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. We check into the Hotel Stykkish.lmur
in a pretty village of the same name on the shores of the Peninsula. Dinner and overnight at Hotel
Stykkishlmur.
Meals: B,D

DAY 3 Sunday 5 July – Full day exploring Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The stunning Snæfellsnes Peninsula has been nicknamed “Iceland in miniature” and we spend
a full day exploring the peninsula, visiting the small hamlets Arnarstapi and Hellnar, the beaches
of Djúpalónssandur and Dritvík as well as the foothills of the Snæfellsnes glacier. Overnight Hotel
Stykkishólmur.
Meals: B,L

DAY 4 Monday 6 July – To Pingvellir NP and Geysir Geothermal Area
Today we set out to explore more of Iceland’s natural wonders. We depart the Snæfellsnes
Peninsula and head to the World Heritage Site Pingvellir NP, an important location in geological and
historical terms. Here, where the Mid Atlantic Ocean Ridge surfaces create dramatic landscapes,
the first National Assembly was established in the year 930. After exploring the botany and birdlife
of the area we drive to Geysir geothermal area where the mother of all geysers, the spouting geyser
Strokkur, errupts every 5 – 10 minutes. A short drive away is one of the most beautiful waterfalls
in Iceland, the Gullfoss, cascading down into the canyon of Hvíta River. In two giant steps the water
falls 32 metres into a deep gorge. We stay overnight at Hotel Grimsborgir.
Meals: B,D

DAY 5 Tuesday 7 July – Hveradalur Valley
Today we travel to the highlands north of Gullfoss waterfall, deep into the Kjölur area located
between 2 of Iceland´s bigger glaciers. Our destination is the magical Hveradalur valley in the
Kerlingarfjoll massif. We take a short hike to explore a geothermal area that is very different
from the southern geyser area. Solfataras and mud pools with many different colours and the
ever present steam from the hot springs are incredible sights in this small valley. An hour´s drive
further north takes us to the highland oasis of Hveravellir, where Iceland´s most famous outlaw Fjalla Eyvindur spent many a winter in the late 1800 on the run from the authorities. Here there is
a natural pool for the adventurous to have a dip before the ride back to the hotel. Overnight Hotel
Grimsborgir.
Meals: B,L

DAY 6 Wednesday 8 July – To Skaftafell National Park
Today we drive along the south coast to the Vatnajökull NP and Skaftafell, stopping en route at
the Fri›heimar greenhouses where geothermal energy is used to cultivate tomatoes. Next stop is
the waterfalls in the foothills of Eyjafjallajökull glacier, Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss. We visit the
local folk museum at Skógar, then travel further east to the beach of Reynisfjara. Here the surf of
the North Atlantic comes crashing ashore and we hope to see our first puffins of the trip. We travel
through the lovely little village of Vík to cross the sand plains of Mýrdalssandur and Skei›arásandur,
and the Eldhraun lava field. Overnight at our accommodation in Skaftafell National Park.
Meals: B,D

DAY 7 Thursday 9 July – Skaftafell National Park and Glacier Walk
Today we will explore some of the trails of Skaftafell, long considered the best walking in Iceland
with its abundance of trails, long and short. We top off the day with a glacier walk on Svínafellsjökull
glacier, where fully qualified glacier guides will lead us into the magical wonders of the ice. Return
to our hotel for the night.
Meals: B,L

DAY 8 Friday 10 July – Ingolfshöfoi Headland, Jökulsárlón Lagoon and fly to Reykjavik
This morning we leave Skaftafell behind us to visit the headland of IngolfshöfoI and join the local
farmers at Hofsnes for a guided tour to see puffins, skuas, guillemots and fulmars. We then continue
further east and drive around the southernmost tip of Vatnajökull glacier, stopping at the magnificent
glacier lagoon Jökulsárlón and enjoying a boat ride among the floating icebergs. The drive continues
to the small town of Höfn, a lively fishing port with a bird reserve on the coastal wetlands. We take
an afternoon flight to Reykjavík from the local airport and, clear skies permitting, we will see the
vast Vatnajökull glacier and highlands. On arrival in Reykjavík we transfer to our accommodation.
Overnight Hotel Odinsve.
Meals: B

DAY 9 Saturday 11 July – In Reykjavik
This morning we visit the Reykjavik Botanical Gardens. The remainder of the day is at leisure to
explore Europe’s northernmost capital city and its superb architecture, or you may wish to take an
optional excursion to visit Reykjavik’s famous ‘Blue Lagoon’. We join for a final farewell meal this
evening in one of Reykjavik’s many restaurants.
Meals: B,D

DAY 10 Sunday 12 July – Trip concludes Reykjavik
You have the day at leisure before transferring to the airport for your onward flight (one group
transfer provided on World Expeditions recommended flight. If you are departing on alternate flights,
a separate transfer can be arranged at an additional cost)
Meals: B

At a glance:

Your host:

Jennie Churchill

A veterinarian and a gardener, Jennie Churchill’s career has always combined a passion for flora and fauna. In her gardening career she is best known for her role as a presenter on ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, and as co‑author of two books on Edna Walling. An experienced tour leader, Jennie has escorted groups to European and English gardens, Nepal and Antarctica and, with World Expeditions and the Foundation and Friends, a 2013 trip to Iran
and Turkey and in 2014, the Galapagos and Ecuador.For over thirty years, Jennie has lived in Kiloren, a Southern Tablelands garden at Crookwell, NSW. Designed in 1951 by Edna Walling, this 4 acre cold climate country property inspired a life‑long love of gardening and nurtured an extensive, hands‑on knowledge of cold climate plant species. While a veterinarian, Jennie also worked with a landscape architect to create planting designs for gardens across NSW.
“Iceland is a remarkable island! Bursting with extraordinary natural wonders and ancient history, it has physical and cultural features found nowhere else. Our itinerary takes us through jaw dropping landscapes, with opportunities to experience nature up close. We also spend time exploring the charming architecture and history of Reykjavic, Europe’s northernmost capital city.”

Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens

Foundation & Friends of the Botanic Gardens Ltd was established to encourage the use and enjoyment of the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust and to involve the community in the scientific, educational, horticultural, cultural and recreational functions of the Gardens. Foundation & Friends serves as a link between the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust and the community, and promotes, supports and contributes to the development of the Gardens.